On to Dacca

Father was transferred from Rungpore to Dacca in the beginning of the year 1919 as District Magistrate and Collector, but after a few months as Collector, he was made Commissioner of the Dacca division ²⁷ . Ramna was the official part of the city where all the officers had their residences. The University of Dacca was also in Ramna, as well as the officers’ club. It was a beautiful part of Dacca, like a garden town, with wide roads lined by majestic trees, well–built houses with large compounds, lovely gardens, and long driveways leading up to the homes. Rungpore was typical of a district headquarters but Ramna, with old Dacca, was a city. In Dacca a crisis arose because the club did not admit Indians as full members. Father refused to join except as a full member. In spite of all the persuasions of the officers to join as an honorary member, he remained adamant and never joined the club. I cannot recall any other Indian holding a senior position in Dacca. It was very much a preserve for the English officers.